Chapter 61
“Adelina…”
I no longer felt the need, nor the reason, to compromise.
“Lumiere, compared to yours, my short life may not seem of much value, but I’ve lived it to the best of my ability. So much so that even if I could go back and live it differently, I absolutely wouldn’t.”
It was true. I had lived my life the best way I knew how.
“Therefore, I can’t bear to prolong my life like that, if only out of respect for my past self who worked so hard. If the only way I can survive is through s3x with a man, I won’t do it. It would be too degrading.”
“I’m not saying you have to live like that forever. Only until the mana is purged from your system. It won’t take that long. A few months at most…”
“A few months, a single day—it makes no difference. If that’s the only way I can live, I’d rather die now.”
Beg those men to sleep with me so I can survive? I’d bite my tongue off and die first.
“But… your current well-being is only temporary. I’ve used my magic to untangle the knotted pathways within you. It took a considerable amount of power, but it will only last a week. After that, you’ll fall back into a coma and wither away.”
A week.
Just enough time to settle my secret accounts and say my last goodbyes.
“Thank you, Lumiere, for giving me time to prepare. In return, I hope my body will be of use to you.”
Before I lose consciousness for the last time, I need to tell Lumiere that I’m someone who remembers a past life.
That is, if Lumiere grants my final request.
Chapter 5 – The Line Between Deviation and Survival Instinct (1)
Hestia was the first to rush to my side upon hearing I’d awakened. She nearly knocked me back unconscious, throwing her arms around me and shaking me, crying that she thought I was going to die.
While Hestia clung to me, Clovis entered, his face etched with unspoken words. His features, sharper now with worry, held my gaze with both his clear eyes.
I studied him, thinking, a mark carved in blood? A desperate yearning so profound that death would be preferable if the other person were gone? You felt that for me? You would have sacrificed an eye for me to wake up? Why? You always belittled me with sharp words. You said I was clueless because I had no lineage, no roots. But…
“The elven mage said they’ve taken emergency measures. We’ll have to wait and see how things progress. Your… body… ha…” He ran a restless hand over his own face, then clenched it into a fist, as if wanting to reach for me but unable to bring himself to do so.
Hestia filled the void, touching my face gently as she peppered me with questions. “They said you should be alright for now, but you need consistent treatment to fully recover. Are you sure nothing hurts?”
It seemed Lumiere had covered for me. Not because he readily agreed to my proposal, but more likely to buy himself time, a way to deflect. My words about welcoming death must have unsettled him.
“Yes, I’m fine. Hestia, I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“I told you not to apologize!”
At her sharp cry, I soothed her, promising I wouldn’t. Hestia always preferred expressions of gratitude to apologies. She said apologies felt like I was drawing a line between us.
“I won’t. Instead, can I ask a favor to celebrate my waking up? I’ll thank you in advance, so you absolutely have to agree.”
“A favor? What is it?”
At my playful request, Hestia smiled, though her eyes held a flicker of anxiety.
“I’ve been lying here so long, I’m restless. I feel terrible that the departure for the west has been delayed because of me. I want to buy some gifts for everyone going west, as an apology. Will you come with me?”
It was almost certain that the Demon King’s relic was in the west. And we would need many things to prepare for the emergence of any unknown, higher-level demons that might appear.
I planned to empty my hidden coffers, scour the auction houses, and give one last gift before I died, sending everyone far, far away.
“That’s… um… alright. I understand.”
Hestia, who had a history of raiding auction houses with me before the expedition to defeat the Demon King, quickly agreed.
“Brother, is that alright?”
I’d been watching Clovis even before Hestia asked for his permission. Meeting his unwavering golden gaze, I offered a small smile. Clovis Chamber Rubelon. I will protect your eyes. I don’t want to die owing you anything.
***
The capital of the Rubelon Empire, Vicheln, was a metropolis worthy of being called the heart of the continent. Its population, both permanent and transient, dwarfed any other city, and as such, Vicheln hosted countless auctions catering to various social strata.
Hestia was a frequent guest at the most exclusive of these, the kind where only a handful of items graced the auction block, yet their prices were truly staggering.
These were legitimate affairs, but not just anyone could attend. The Empress’s expensive and peculiar collecting habits were well-known among the auction house owners.
And why wouldn’t they be? What other empress would purchase mermaid scales for battlefield protection, stones that maintained body heat in snowy terrains, or potions that temporarily enhanced strength?
With Hestia as my front, I recalled the list of items I’d previously acquired and selected two invitations from the pile she’d received.
“There are two places worth visiting this time.”
“The Silverstone Merchant Guild’s auction house and Lady Rain’s charity party? They’re today and tomorrow. Isn’t that too rushed?”
Hestia voiced her concern, but my mind was made up. Today and tomorrow. Perfect.
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